Cymbidium Little Black Sambo Guidance - Orchid Board

mmursuli · #1 02-23-2011, 07:39 PM

I bought this orchid (Cymbidium Little Black Sambo orchid) at a Home Depot--bargain priced, no blooms. I've had it for about 7 months, and nothing much has happened with it. Any advice, please!

RosieC · #2 02-24-2011, 07:51 AM

Some Cyms like quite a lot of light and quite a lot of water to grow well. I'm not an expert though and I'm not sure if that's for all of them.

Mine is in direct sun (but I doubt it's as bright as in Miami) for most of the day. I have it in a very well draining pot/medium and water every other day, or even every day when it's really hot. I've also read they need a lot of fertiliser over the summer to flower.

I would perhaps try increasing the light (slowly, don't just move it somewhere really bright in one go) and see how it goes.

Alyons · #3 02-24-2011, 12:02 PM

I had heard the opposite about this cym... I only water mine when it is in active growth because it is native to northern Australia which is very dry most of the year. I'm afraid that over watering will kill this cymbidium very quickly. When in active growth it can tolerate a lot more water but in fact it can go about 9 months with barely any water at all just because of where this hybrid originates. I would put it very snug in its pot, and if it starts to fall over put it in a larger one just to balance it. It is one of the smaller growing cyms. Just try not to put it in too large of a pot to keep from having extra moisture in there. Def put it in a well draining mix as well. I imagine the growers that had your plant were watering it a lot more than it would normally get so it will tolerate more watering.
I have mine in a basket hanging on my porch when the threat of frost is over and I bring it back in when it gets too cold in the fall.. but my climate is completely different than yours obviously, lol. I want to have that little bit of cold to have it flower.. It did not initiate flowers for me this year but instead decided to put out a few more growths.

Anyway, good luck with this guy and don't let it scare you because people will say that over watering will kill it. That is true about a lot of orchids. This guy grows in trees in Australia so it isn't really terrestrial. We make it what is convenient for us, so no worries... the fun part is figuring out what will work for you and the plant both.

mmursuli · #4 02-24-2011, 12:18 PM

yeah, i was doing some research myself and read that this particular orchid doesn't like too much water. i think i may have been watering it too much. i have mine under a mango tree in my backyard where it receives a decent amount of sun light, but not too much. i guess i'll have to cut down on the watering until the mixture is completly dry, and just be patient.
Thanks for all the advice!

Cym Ladye · #5 02-24-2011, 01:21 PM

Like one of its parents, canaliculatum, LBS can take a drying off period in the winter. It also likes lots of light and I would recommend hanging it where it can get more than you are giving it currently. It also is definitely an epiphyte and a loose mix with lots of drainage is a must.

I suspect that you have few if any viable roots on your plant from your description. It is definitely over-potted. Take a look and see what is there and re-pot into a smaller pot with new mix. I personally would not use the large fir chunks you have at the moment but the slightly smaller medium fir bark with about 10% large perlite and 10% charcoal.

There have been several previous threads on LBS in the past on this forum but I cannot seem to locate them. Perhaps Rosie or one of our moderators can help out on a reference number?

Cym Ladye

RosieC · #6 02-24-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

There have been several previous threads on LBS in the past on this forum but I cannot seem to locate them. Perhaps Rosie or one of our moderators can help out on a reference number?

I've found a couple from 2008/2009. I've not read them so not sure if they are any use.

Cym."little black sambo" Winter watering
Cym. Black Sambo
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...d-society.html

It's mentioned in these as well...
Australian cymbidium species
cym australian midnight
Cymbidium canaliculatum
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ir-health.html

mmursuli · #7 02-24-2011, 04:29 PM

@Cym Ladye: I took your advice--took a look at the roots, and repotted it. I was very pleased with the roots, they were white and fleshy. Also, to my surprise there was a new sprout emerging! I can't wait!

Cym Ladye · #8 02-25-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmursuli

@Cym Ladye: I took your advice--took a look at the roots, and repotted it. I was very pleased with the roots, they were white and fleshy. Also, to my surprise there was a new sprout emerging! I can't wait!

I am pleasantly surprised at the condition of the roots but it is always the first place to look when a plant is not growing as one would hope. It appears you are on the right track.
Good Luck,

CL

mmursuli · #9 07-31-2011, 01:08 PM

Hey guys! Wanted to post an update. That new growth I found in Feb., dried out

Needless to say, I was very frustrated. I decided to put her inside. Repotted her in hydroton using passivee s/h. Then placed her on an east-facing window sill.
The result:

Brenda Aarts · #10 07-31-2011, 02:49 PM

YEAH!!!! Now to patiently wait for some blooms! Congratulations!